The MacQuayl family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name MacQuayl is derived from the personal name Paul. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Phail, which is normally Anglicized MacFail or MacPhail, and means son of Paul.

MacQuayl Early Origins

The surname MacQuayl was first found in the Isle of Man, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

MacQuayl Spelling Variations

MacQuayl Spelling Variations

Spelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. MacQuayl has appeared in various documents spelled Quail, Quayle, Quaile, Quailes, McQuail, McQuayl and others.

MacQuayl Early History

MacQuayl Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacQuayl research. Another 213 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1327 and 1500 are included under the topic Early MacQuayl History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacQuayl Early Notables (pre 1700)

MacQuayl Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early MacQuayl Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacQuayl In Ireland

MacQuayl In Ireland

Some of the MacQuayl family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name MacQuayl or a variant listed above: Anne Quaile and her husband, who came to Virginia in 1623; Hugh Quale settled in Barbados in 1679; Joe Quyle settled in Virginia in 1635; John Quayle settled in Virginia in 1650.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Shaw, William A. Knights of England A Complete Record from the Earliest Time to the Present Day of the Knights of all the Orders of Chivalry in England, Scotland, Ireland and Knights Bachelors 2 Volumes. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print. (ISBN 080630443X).

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X).

The MacQuayl Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The MacQuayl Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.